SUZANNAH ALIZA DESSAU

DANCE ARTIST AND EDUCATOR
Brooklyn, NY 11217

OBJECTIVE

I am a dance artist and educator currently based in Brooklyn, NY. My work is strongly focused on creativity, exploration, and movement free from expectations. I am dedicated to blending technique with individuality, inspiring students to discover new ways of moving and supporting their growth both artistically and personally. With my diverse training in ballet, contemporary dance, yoga, and Pilates, I strive to offer a balanced and holistic approach to my teaching and artistry.

EDUCATION

• (2024-present) New York University Steinhardt: MA Dance Education Teaching – Dance in The Professions: ABT Pedagogy
• (2014-2017) Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance
• (2010-2012) Boston University: Studies in Psychology and Dance – Boston, MA

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

• American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum: Pre-Primary – Level 7 and Partnering
• Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health: 200hr Certified Yoga Teacher
• The Space Pilates School: Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor (in process)

STUDIO TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• (2025-present) Nimbus Dance – Jersey City, NJ: Modern, partnering, conditioning, and adult classes

• (2025-present) Washington Rock Dance Center – Warren, NJ: Ballet technique and YAGP ballet coaching 

• (2025-present) The 92nd Street Y – NY, NY: Jazz technique (ages 10+)
• (2024-present) Broadway Bound Dance Center – Dumont, NJ: Contemporary, ballet, and conditioning
• (2021-2022) Bold Arts – NY, NY: Creative Movement Teacher (ages 8-10)
• (2019-2024) Motion Arts Dance Studios – Maplewood, NJ: Contemporary, ballet, pointe, improvisation, creative movement, conditioning, and pre-pointe (ages 6+)

K-12 TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• (2019) Newark Academy – Livingston, NJ: Laban Choreology Guest Lecturer (grades 6-12)
• (2011) Columbia Senior High School – Maplewood, NJ: Guest teacher in Contemporary Dance (grades 9-12)

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

• (2025) NVA & Guests – Marketing Internship NY, NY: Managed social media platforms and developed Instagram content to promote upcoming events. Designed slideshows and print materials for fundraisers, summer intensives, and the premiere of the company’s new work.
• (2018-2019) Gibney Dance Center – Finance Assistant, NY, NY: Managed weekly bank deposits, studio rental invoicing for non-profit clientele, purchase orders, finance tracking, finance intern supervision.
• (2017-2018) Gibney Dance Center – Internship, NY, NY: Handled front desk operations, payment processing, class check-ins, customer service, space upkeep.
• (2017-2018) 10 Hairy Legs Dance Company – Internship, Highland Park, NJ: Managed social media, studio filming, event organization.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• GotenburgOperans Danskompani Work Placement (by invitation) – Sweden
• Liz Roche Dance Company Research and Development (by invitation) – Dublin, IR
• Staatstheatre Kassel/Johannes Wieland Work Placement (by invitation) – Germany
• Teac Damsa Workshop – West Kerry, IE
• NVA & Guests Winter Workshop – NY, NY
• Throughline – A Dance Workshop – NY, NY
• B12 Workshop Festival – Berlin, GE
• Fighting Monkey Workshop – NY, NY
• Dance Theater Workshop with Laja Field – NY, NY
• Dual Rivet Made by Women Festival – NY, NY
• Limon Dance Teachers Intensive – NY, NY
• Gibney Dance Workshop with Bobbi Jene Smith – NY, NY
• The Invincible Loser Workshop with Johannes Wieland – Berlin, GE
• Fergus Animi Intensive with Tomislav English – London, UK / NY, NY
• Festival Deltebre Dansa – Deltebre, ES
• Jasmin Vardimon Company Workshop – London, UK
• DV8 Physical Theater Workshop with Lloyd Newson & Hannes Langolf – London, UK
• Ultima Vez Workshop – London, UK
• Hofesh Shechter Workshop & Company Classes – London, UK
• Tavaziva Dance Company – London, UK
• Batsheva Dance Company Gaga Intensive – Tel Aviv, IL
• Countertechnique Workshop with Eilit Marom – Kibbutz Gaaton, IL
• The American Dance Festival – Durham, NC
• American Ballet Theater Collegiate Summer Intensive – NY, NY

PROFESSIONAL DANCE TRAINING

• (2014) KCDC Dance Journey Program – Kibbutz Gaaton, IL (Dir. Danielle Ohn)
• (2013) Kibbutz Gaaton Dance Workshop – Kibbutz Gaaton, IL (Dir. Yaniv Avraham & Einav Levy)
• (2013) Vertigo International Dance Program – Jerusalem, IL (Dir. Vova Zak)
• (2009-2010) New Jersey School of Ballet – Livingston, NJ (Dir. Carolyn Clark)

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

• (2024) NYU Steinhardt Distinguished Faculty Concert – Frederik Lowe Theater, NY, NY
• (2023) Erin K. McNulty Dance: The Morrigan – Path of Life Garden, Windsor, VT
• (2020) Anthem For the Anxious (Howl Music Video) – Boston, MA
• (2018) Oui Danse/Brice Mousset: Work! – New York Live Arts, NY, NY
• (2017) Punchdrunk/Maxine Doyle: Selfridges POP-UP – Selfridges, London, UK
• (2015) Friction Dance Theater: Company Contract – London, UK

CHOREOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE

• (2025) Olivia – Arts on Site Performance Party, Frederick Lowe Theater 
• (2020) Floodstream; a Dance Film – Screened at multiple international film festivals
• (2020) I’m Dancing on the Inside; a Dance Film – CO:Vid Dance Film Festival
• (2014-2018) Keep Hoping Machine Running pt. I & II – Zichri Theater, Trinity Laban Conservatoire
• (2012) Get Me Out in Here – Boston University Dance Theater, American College Dance Association

MODELING EXPERIENCE

• (2020-present) Clinique by Estee Lauder – Worldwide Campaign (Even Better Foundation: Color – Cream Chamois)
• (2020) Josephine Crochon Photography – Westchester, NY
• (2019) The Camera Club – London, England

HONORS AND AWARDS

• (2021) Prague International Monthly Film Festival – Finalist (Floodstream: A Dance Film)
• (2021) Essence of Embodiment Film Festival – Official Selection (Floodstream: A Dance Film)
• (2021) Artists for Hope Dance Film Festival – Official Selection (Floodstream: A Dance Film)
• (2020) Shawna E. Shea Women in Film Fellowship – Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation
• (2020) Opportunity Fund Award – Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture/City of Boston
• (2020) New England Dance Fund Award – New England Foundation for the Arts
• (2013) American College Dance Festival – Official Selection (Get Me Out in Here)

SKILLS

Floorwork, contemporary ballet, teaching, Pilates and yoga, gymnastics, partnering, improvisation, collaboration, modeling, choreography, teaching, mentorship, organization, advocacy.